Knee seems stuck

[Monkeymorgan]

I'm a 17 year old girl and have had bilateral knee problems for 3.5 years and despite lots of doctors visits I still have no diagnosis. I have learned that I overpronate and I'm very flat footed. MRIs and blood work is normal. This weekend my right knee began to have pain at the top of my knee cap. It feels like it is stuck on the pop. I can still get my knee to pop but it still feels like it is stuck on another pop. Usually my knees only hurt on the bottom or on the sides but never on the top. What is this? I know that my knee can't get stuck on air but that's what it feels like. What is going on and how do I get it to stop?

[Monkeymorgan]

I have already had custom orthotics for a few years. I was in physical therapy and they told me they didn't know what to do and couldn't help me. I have also had more braces than I can count. I went to the orthopedic doctor a year ago and he said, "Hum.. well usually it doesn't last this long. I would suggest you just wait it out." I've been waiting it out for 3 and a half years. I haven't been able to run in that time and was going to join track and field. Do you think it would be safe for me to start running? Thanks for responding!

[Michael L Gross, MD]

It sounds like you are experiencing patella alignment problems. This can lead to chodromalacia patella ( wear of the articular cartilage on the back of the knee cap) and in the extreme, recurrent subluxation of the patella. The subluxation would account for the locking, and the feeling that the kneecap is about to "pop out of place".
Your flat feet are a factor, and I would suggest arch supports. Thee can be over the counter at first, and custom orthotics if needed. Finally, physical therapy and bracing should be utilized.
There are surgical procedures that can address this problem, but only if conservative measures fail.